Adjustable shoulder pads

ABSTRACT

Shoulder pads for a player playing a contact sport, such as hockey, lacrosse or football, are provided. The shoulder pads comprise a front member, a back member, left and right shoulder arches, left and right shoulder protectors, and an adjustment system allowing the player to adjust a fit of the shoulder pads. The adjustment system may allow the player to adjust various components of the shoulder pads, including the front member, the back member, and the left and right shoulder protectors, in various directions.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to protective sporting equipment and,more particularly, to shoulder pads for a player playing a contact sportsuch as hockey, lacrosse or football.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Shoulder pads are worn by players of contact sports, such as hockey,lacrosse and football, for upper body protection. Typically, shoulderpads comprise front and back members for respectively protecting frontand back regions of a player's thorax and left and right shoulderprotectors for respectively protecting the player's left and rightshoulders.

A fit of a player's shoulder pads can be important to properly protectthe player and facilitate movement of the player. However, the shoulderspads may be limited in terms of how well they can fit the player andthis may adversely affect protection and/or movement of the player. Forexample, the shoulder pads' front and back members may be sewn orotherwise permanently joined such that their shoulder arches archingover the player's shoulders and interconnecting the front and backmembers are fixed. This may cause the shoulder pads to “sit” or laypoorly on the player. For instance, the shoulder pads may “float” on topof the player, i.e., they may not lay down on the player's shouldersbetween the player's chest and back. Also, the shoulder arches may bepadded and their fixed nature may cause their padding to bunch up or notflex properly.

For these and other reasons, there is a need for improvements inshoulder pads, including improvements directed to improving a fit of aplayer's shoulder pads.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the invention, shoulder pads for a playerplaying a contact sport are provided. The shoulder pads comprise: afront member for covering at least part of a front side of a thorax ofthe player, the front member comprising protective padding; a backmember for covering at least part of a back side of the thorax of theplayer; a left shoulder arch for arching over a left shoulder of theplayer and interconnecting the front member and the back member; a rightshoulder arch for arching over a right shoulder of the player andinterconnecting the front member and the back member; a neck opening forreceiving a neck of the player, the neck opening being defined by thefront member, the back member, the left shoulder arch, and the rightshoulder arch; a left shoulder protector for protecting at least part ofthe left shoulder of the player; a right shoulder protector forprotecting at least part of the right shoulder of the player; a leftshoulder arch fastener detachably fastening the left shoulder arch to agiven one of the front member and the back member to allow the player toadjust the left shoulder arch, the left shoulder arch fastenercomprising a first connector on the left shoulder arch and a secondconnector on the given one of the front member and the back member, thefirst connector of the left shoulder arch fastener overlapping the givenone of the front member and the back member and being detachablyconnected to the second connector of the left shoulder arch fastener;and a right shoulder arch fastener detachably fastening the rightshoulder arch to the given one of the front member and the back memberto allow the player to adjust the right shoulder arch, the rightshoulder arch fastener comprising a first connector on the rightshoulder arch and a second connector on the given one of the frontmember and the back member, the first connector of the right shoulderarch fastener overlapping the given one of the front member and the backmember and being detachably connected to the second connector of theright shoulder arch fastener.

According to another aspect of the invention, shoulder pads for a playerplaying a contact sport are provided. The shoulder pads comprise: afront member for covering at least part of a front side of a thorax ofthe player, the front member comprising protective padding; a backmember for covering at least part of a back side of the thorax of theplayer; a left shoulder arch for arching over a left shoulder of theplayer and interconnecting the front member and the back member; a rightshoulder arch for arching over a right shoulder of the player andinterconnecting the front member and the back member; a neck opening forreceiving a neck of the player, the neck opening being defined by thefront member, the back member, the left shoulder arch, and the rightshoulder arch; a left shoulder protector for protecting at least part ofthe left shoulder of the player; a right shoulder protector forprotecting at least part of the right shoulder of the player; a leftshoulder arch fastener detachably fastening the left shoulder arch tothe front member to allow the player to adjust the left shoulder arch,the left shoulder arch fastener allowing the player to adjust a positionin which the left shoulder arch is detachably fastened to the frontmember in a front-back direction of the shoulder pads and in aleft-right direction of the shoulder pads; and a right shoulder archfastener detachably fastening the right shoulder arch to the frontmember to allow the player to adjust the right shoulder arch, the rightshoulder arch fastener allowing the player to adjust a position in whichthe right shoulder arch is detachably fastened to the front member inthe front-back direction of the shoulder pads and in the left-rightdirection of the shoulder pads.

According to another aspect of the invention, shoulder pads for a playerplaying a contact sport are provided. The shoulder pads comprise: afront member for covering at least part of a front side of a thorax ofthe player, the front member comprising protective padding; a backmember for covering at least part of a back side of the thorax of theplayer; a left shoulder arch for arching over a left shoulder of theplayer and interconnecting the front member and the back member; a rightshoulder arch for arching over a right shoulder of the player andinterconnecting the front member and the back member; a neck opening forreceiving a neck of the player, the neck opening being defined by thefront member, the back member, the left shoulder arch, and the rightshoulder arch; a left shoulder protector for protecting at least part ofthe left shoulder of the player; a right shoulder protector forprotecting at least part of the right shoulder of the player; a firsthook-and-loop fastener detachably fastening the left shoulder arch tothe front member to allow the player to adjust the left shoulder arch,the first hook-and-loop fastener comprising a hook portion and a loopportion that are provided on respective ones of the left shoulder archand the front member; and a second hook-and-loop fastener detachablyfastening the right shoulder arch to the front member to allow theplayer to adjust the right shoulder arch, the second hook-and-loopfastener comprising a hook portion and a loop portion that are providedon respective ones of the right shoulder arch and the front member.

According to another aspect of the invention, shoulder pads for a playerplaying a contact sport are provided. The shoulder pads comprise: afront member for covering at least part of a front side of a thorax ofthe player, the front member comprising protective padding; a backmember for covering at least part of a back side of the thorax of theplayer; a left shoulder arch for arching over a left shoulder of theplayer and interconnecting the front member and the back member; a rightshoulder arch for arching over a right shoulder of the player andinterconnecting the front member and the back member; a neck opening forreceiving a neck of the player, the neck opening being defined by thefront member, the back member, the left shoulder arch, and the rightshoulder arch; a left shoulder protector for protecting at least part ofthe left shoulder of the player; a right shoulder protector forprotecting at least part of the right shoulder of the player; and anadjustment system for allowing the player to adjust the shoulder pads,the adjustment system holding the front member and the back membertogether and being unfastenable to disconnect the front member and theback member from one another such that the front member and the backmember are separated.

These and other aspects of the invention will now become apparent tothose of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the followingdescription of embodiments of the invention in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A detailed description of embodiments of the invention is providedbelow, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an example of shoulder pads for upperbody protection of a player in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the shoulder pads;

FIGS. 3 and 4 respectively show plan views of an outer side and an innerside of a front member of the shoulder pads;

FIGS. 5 and 6 respectively show plan views of an outer side and an innerside of a back member of the shoulder pads;

FIGS. 7 and 8 respectively show plan views of an outer side and an innerside of a shoulder protector and an arm protector of the shoulder pads;

FIGS. 9A, 9B, 10A and 10B show examples of adjustments of the shoulderpads using an adjustment system of the shoulder pads;

FIG. 11 shows an example of how the adjustment system allows the playerto adjust the shoulder pads while wearing the shoulder pads; and

FIG. 12 shows front and back views of regions of an upper body of theplayer.

It is to be expressly understood that the description and drawings areonly for the purpose of illustrating certain embodiments of theinvention and are an aid for understanding. They are not intended to bea definition of the limits of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

To facilitate the description, any reference numeral designating anelement in one figure will designate the same element if used in anyother figures. In describing the embodiments, specific terminology isresorted to for the sake of clarity but the invention is not intended tobe limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is understood thateach specific term comprises all equivalents.

Unless otherwise indicated, the drawings are intended to be readtogether with the specification, and are to be considered a portion ofthe entire written description of this invention. As used in thefollowing description, unless otherwise indicated, the terms“horizontal”, “vertical”, “left”, “right”, “up”, “down” and the like, aswell as adjectival and adverbial derivatives thereof (e.g.,“horizontally”, “rightwardly”, “upwardly”, “radially”, etc.), simplyrefer to the orientation of the illustrated structure. Similarly, theterms “inwardly,” “outwardly” and “radially” generally refer to theorientation of a surface relative to its axis of elongation, or axis ofrotation, as appropriate.

FIG. 1 shows an example of shoulder pads 10 for upper body protection ofa player playing a contact sport in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention. In this embodiment, the player is a lacrosse player playinglacrosse and thus the shoulder pads 10 are lacrosse shoulder pads.

The shoulder pads 10 protect various regions of an upper body of theplayer. As shown in FIG. 12, a thorax 12 of the player has a front sideFS and a back side BS. The front side FS of the thorax 12, which canalso be referred to as a “chest” or “ventral” side, comprises left andright pectoral regions LPR, RPR overlying left and right pectoralmuscles of the player and a sternum region SR overlying a sternum of theplayer. The back side BS of the thorax 12, which can also be referred toas a “dorsal” side, comprises a thoracic spinal region TSR overlyingthoracic vertebrae of the player, left and right trapezius regions LTR,RTR overlying left and right trapezius muscles of the player, and leftand right latissimus dorsi regions LLR, RLR overlying left and rightlatissimus dorsi muscles of the player. Left and right left shoulders 20₁, 20 ₂ of the player join left and right arms 24 ₁, 24 ₂ of the playerto the thorax 12. Each of the left and right shoulders 20 ₁, 20 ₂ has aclavicle region CR, a scapular region BR, an acromioclavicular jointregion ACR, and a deltoid region DR respectively overlying a clavicle, ascapula, an acromioclavicular joint, and a deltoid muscle of thatshoulder. The upper body of the player 14 has a front-back (i.e., adorso-ventral) axis FBA (which is perpendicular to the front and backviews shown in FIG. 12), a left-right (i.e., dextro-sinistral) axis LRA,and a vertical (i.e., cephalo-caudal) axis VA.

With additional reference to FIG. 2, the shoulder pads 10 comprise afront member 30, a back member 32, left and right shoulder arches 34 ₁,34 ₂, and left and right shoulder protectors 38 ₁, 38 ₂. A front-backdirection, a left-right direction, and a top-bottom direction of theshoulder pads 10 are respectively parallel to the front-back axis FBA,the left-right axis LRA, and the vertical axis VA of the upper body ofthe player. The front member 30, the back member 32, and the left andright shoulder arches 34 ₁, 34 ₂ define a neck opening 39 for receivinga neck of the player. In this embodiment, the shoulder pads 10 alsocomprise left and right arm protectors 21 ₁, 21 ₂ and left and rightlower straps 44 ₁, 44 ₂.

As further discussed later, the shoulder pads 10 comprise an adjustmentsystem 40 allowing the player to adjust a fit of the shoulder pads 10.More particularly, in this embodiment, the adjustment system 40 allowsthe player to adjust the left and right shoulder arches 34 ₁, 34 ₂. Inthis example, this enables components of the shoulder pads 10, includingthe front member 30, the back member 32, and the left and right shoulderprotectors 38 ₁, 38 ₂, to be adjusted in various directions, includingthe front-back direction and the left-right direction of the shoulderpads 10, while the player is wearing the shoulder pads 10.

The front member 30 is configured to cover at least part of the frontside FS of the thorax 12 of the player. With additional reference toFIGS. 3 and 4, the front member 30, which can also be referred to as afront “panel”, comprises left and right pectoral portions 42 ₁, 42 ₂ forcovering the left and right pectoral regions LPR, RPR of the player anda sternum portion 46 for covering the sternum region SR of the player.The front member 30 comprises a top edge 25 delimiting the neck opening39.

In this embodiment, the front member 30 comprises protective padding 48disposed between an inner liner 51 and an outer covering 54. Theprotective padding 48 provides padded protection to the left and rightpectoral regions LPR, RPR and the sternum region SR of the player. Theprotective padding 48 may comprise any suitable shock-absorbingmaterial. For example, in this embodiment, the protective padding 48comprises foam material. The foam material of the protective padding 48may comprise any suitable foam. For instance, in some examples ofimplementation, the foam material of the protective padding 48 maycomprise ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam, expanded polypropylene (EPP)foam, expanded polyethylene (EPE) foam), vinyl nitrile (VN) foam, or anyother suitable foam. In some cases, the foam material of the protectivepadding 48 may include only one type of foam. In other cases, the foammaterial of the protective padding 48 may include different types offoam in different areas of the front member 30. Also, in someembodiments, the protective padding 48 may comprise shock-absorbingmaterial other than foam. For instance, in some cases, the protectivepadding 48 may comprises gel material (e.g., in the sternum portion 46for providing added protection to the sternum region SR of the player).

The inner liner 51 comprises fabric material. The fabric material of theinner liner 51 may comprise any suitable fabric. For instance, in someexamples of implementation, the fabric material of the inner liner 51may comprise a woven fabric, a nonwoven fabric, synthetic microfibers, asynthetic woven knit, a polyurethane laminate, a mesh, or any othersuitable fabric. In some cases, the fabric material of the inner liner51 may include only one type of fabric. In other cases, the fabricmaterial of the inner liner 51 may include different types of fabric indifferent areas of the front member 30. The outer covering 54 maycomprise any suitable material. For example, in this embodiment, theouter covering 54 comprises flexible non-foam polymeric material (e.g.,polyurethane).

In this embodiment, the front member 30 comprises a central section 55and a pair of lateral sections 56 ₁, 56 ₂ connected to one another, withthe central section 55 located between the lateral sections 56 ₁, 56 ₂.The central section 55 comprises central portions of the protectivepadding 48, the inner liner 51, and the outer covering 54, which, inthis example, are interconnected by a stitched connecting band 64 thatextends along a perimeter of the central section 55. Similarly, thelateral sections 56 ₁, 56 ₂ respectively comprise lateral portions ofthe protective padding 48, the inner liner 51, and the outer covering54, which, in this example, are respectively interconnected by stitchedconnecting bands 71 ₁, 71 ₂ that extend along perimeters of the lateralsections 56 ₁, 56 ₂.

In this example of implementation, each of the lateral sections 56 ₁, 56₂ is movable relative to the central section 55. This may facilitatemovement of the player during play. This may also facilitate adjustmentof the front member 30 on the player. More particularly, in thisembodiment, the central section 55 is connected to the lateral sections56 ₁, 56 ₂ by elastic zones 59 ₁-59 ₂ which stretch when the lateralsections 56 ₁, 56 ₂ are subjected to forces moving the lateral sections56 ₁, 56 ₂ away from the central section 55 and which contract whenthese forces are no longer applied to bias the lateral sections 56 ₁, 56₂ back towards the central section 55. For instance, in this embodiment,each of the elastic zones 59 ₁-59 ₂ may comprise an elastic “stretch”fabric (e.g., spandex material).

The front member 30 may be implemented in various other ways in otherembodiments. For example, in other embodiments, the front member 30 mayhave various other shapes, comprise various other components, and/or bemade of various other materials. For instance, in some embodiments, thefront member 30 may comprise an outer shell of rigid material (e.g., oneor more shell pieces of polycarbonate or other rigid polymericmaterial). As another example, in other embodiments, the front member 30may not comprise central and lateral sections which can move relative toone another.

The back member 32 is configured to cover at least part of the back sideBS of the thorax 12 of the player. With additional reference to FIGS. 5and 6, the back member 32, which can also be referred to as a back“panel”, comprises a spinal portion 73 for covering the thoracic spinalregion TSR of the player 14. In this embodiment, the back member 32 alsocomprises left and right trapezius portions 74 ₁, 74 ₂ for covering theleft and right trapezius regions LTR, RTR of the player and left andright latissimus dorsi portions 76 ₁, 76 ₂ for covering the left andright latissimus dorsi regions LLR, RLR of the player. The back member32 comprises a top edge 78 delimiting the neck opening 39.

In this embodiment, the back member 32 comprises protective padding 82disposed between an inner liner 85 and an outer covering 86. In thiscase, these components of the back member 32 are similar in constructionto the protective padding 48, the inner liner 51, and the outer covering54 of the front member 30. The protective padding 82 provides paddedprotection to the thoracic spinal region SR, the left and righttrapezius regions LTR, RTR, and left and right latissimus dorsi regionsLLR, RLR of the player.

In this embodiment, the back member 32 comprises a central section 88, apair of lateral sections 89 ₁, 89 ₂, and a top section 91 connected toone another, with the central section 88 located between the lateralsections 89 ₁, 89 ₂ and below the top section 91. The central section 88comprises central portions of the protective padding 82, the inner liner85, and the outer covering 86, which, in this example, areinterconnected by a stitched connecting band 95 that extends along aperimeter of the central section 88. Similarly, the lateral sections 89₁, 89 ₂ and the top section 91 respectively comprise lateral and topportions of the protective padding 82, the inner liner 85, and the outercovering 86, which, in this example, are respectively interconnected bystitched connecting bands 92 ₁-92 ₃ that extend along perimeters of thelateral sections 89 ₁, 89 ₂ and the top section 91.

In this example of implementation, each of the lateral sections 89 ₁, 89₂ and the top section 91 is movable relative to the central section 88by virtue of elastic zones 58 ₁-58 ₃ which stretch and contract when thelateral sections 89 ₁, 89 ₂ and the top section 91 are subjected toforces moving them relative to the central section 88, similar to theelastic zones 59 ₁-59 ₂ of the front member 30.

The back member 32 may be implemented in various other ways in otherembodiments. For example, in other embodiments, the back member 32 mayhave various other shapes, comprise various other components, and/or bemade of various other materials. For instance, in some embodiments, theback member 32 may comprise an outer shell of rigid material (e.g., oneor more shell pieces of polycarbonate or other rigid polymericmaterial). As another example, in other embodiments, the back member 32may not comprise central, lateral and top sections which can moverelative to one another.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the front member 30 and the backmember 32 are separate members which are held together by the adjustmentsystem 40 and which are disconnectable from one another by unfasteningthe adjustment system 40, as further discussed later. That is, theadjustment system 40 is unfastenable to disconnect the front member 30and the back member 32 such that the front and back members 30, 32 areseparated. More particularly, in this example, the front member 30 andthe back member 32 can be detached from one another at their top byunfastening the adjustment system 40 and can be detached from oneanother at their bottom by unfastening the lower straps 44 ₁, 44 ₂.

The left shoulder arch 34 ₁ is configured to arch over the left shoulder20 ₁ of the player and interconnects the front member 30 and the backmember 32. Similarly, the right shoulder arch 34 ₂ is configured to archover the right shoulder 20 ₂ of the player and interconnects the frontmember 30 and the back member 32. Each shoulder arch 34 _(x) comprises aclavicle portion 53 and a scapular portion 84 for respectively overlyingthe clavicle region CR and the scapular region BR of the shoulder 20_(x) over which it arches.

In this embodiment, the shoulder arch 34 _(x) comprises protectivepadding 60 disposed between an inner liner 62 and an outer covering 63.The protective padding 60 provides padded protection to the clavicleregion CR and the scapular region BR of the shoulder 20 _(x). Theprotective padding 60 may comprise any suitable shock-absorbingmaterial. For example, in this embodiment, the protective padding 60comprises foam material. The foam material of the protective padding 60may comprise any suitable polymeric foam. For instance, in some examplesof implementation, the foam material of the protective padding 60 maycomprise any foam previously mentioned herein. In some cases, the foammaterial of the protective padding 60 may include only one type of foam.In other cases, the foam material of the protective padding 60 mayinclude different types of foam in different areas of the shoulder arch34 _(x).

The inner liner 62 comprises fabric material. The fabric material of theinner liner 62 may comprise any suitable fabric. For instance, in someexamples of implementation, the fabric material of the inner liner 62may comprise any fabric previously mentioned herein. In some cases, thefabric material of the inner liner 62 may include only one type offabric. In other cases, the fabric material of the inner liner 62 mayinclude different types of fabric in different areas of the shoulderarch 34 _(x). The outer covering 63 may comprise any suitable material.For example, in this embodiment, the outer covering 63 comprisesflexible non-foam polymeric material (e.g., polyurethane).

In this embodiment, the shoulder arch 34 _(x) constitutes ashoulder-arching strap extending from the back member 32 towards thefront member 30. More particularly, in this embodiment, theshoulder-arching strap constituted by the shoulder arch 34 _(x) isnonseparably connected to the back member 32 (i.e., it is connected tothe back member 32 such that it cannot be separated from the back member32 without damaging the shoulder pads 10) and extends towards the frontmember 30. In this case, the shoulder-arching strap constituted by theshoulder arch 34 _(x) is nonseparably connected to the back member 32 bybeing sewed to the back member 32. In other cases, the shoulder-archingstrap constituted by the shoulder arch 34 _(x) may be nonseparablyconnected to the back member 32 in other ways (e.g., by being integrallyformed with the back member 32). In other embodiments, theshoulder-arching strap constituted by the shoulder arch 34 _(x) may bedetachable from the back member 32.

The left and right shoulder arches 34 ₁, 34 ₂ may be implemented invarious other ways in other embodiments. For example, in otherembodiments, each of the left and right shoulder arches 34 ₁, 34 ₂ mayhave various other shapes, comprise various other components, and/or bemade of various other materials. For instance, in other embodiments,instead of constituting a strap, each of left and right shoulder arches34 ₁, 34 ₂ may comprise a cord or wire that interconnects the frontmember 30 and the back member 32.

The left shoulder protector 38 ₁ is configured to protect at least partof the left shoulder 20 ₁ of the player. Similarly, the right shoulderprotector 38 ₂ is configured to protect at least part of the rightshoulder 20 ₂ of the player. With additional reference to FIGS. 7 and 8,each shoulder protector 38 _(x) comprises an acromioclavicular jointportion 41 and a deltoid portion 43 for respectively overlying theacromioclavicular joint region ACR and the deltoid region DR of theshoulder 20 _(x) it protects. The shoulder protector 38 _(x) forms ashoulder “cap” of the shoulder pads 10 for the shoulder 20 _(x).

In this embodiment, the shoulder protector 38 _(x) is mounted over theshoulder arch 34 _(x) arching the shoulder 20 _(x). Also, in thisembodiment, the shoulder protector 38 _(x) is movable relative to theshoulder arch 34 _(x). More particularly, in this example, the shoulderprotector 38 _(x) is pivotable relative to the shoulder arch 34 _(x). Inthis case, the shoulder protector 38 _(x) comprises a strap 40 which isconnected to a strap receiver 23 of the shoulder arch 34 _(x) so as topermit pivotal movement of the shoulder protector 38 _(x) relative tothe shoulder arch 34 _(x). In other cases, the shoulder protector 38_(x) may be connected to the shoulder arch 34 _(x) in various other waysto permit pivotal movement (e.g., the shoulder protector 38 _(x) may besewed to the shoulder arch 34 _(x) so as to create a hinge-likeconnection between them).

In this embodiment, the shoulder protector 38 _(x) comprises protectivepadding 45 disposed between an inner liner 47 and an outer covering 83.The protective padding 45 provides padded protection to the shoulder 20_(x). The protective padding 45 may comprise any suitableshock-absorbing material. For example, in this embodiment, theprotective padding 45 comprises foam material. The foam material of theprotective padding 45 may comprise any suitable polymeric foam. Forinstance, in some examples of implementation, the foam material of theprotective padding 45 may comprise any foam previously mentioned herein.In some cases, the foam material of the protective padding 45 mayinclude only one type of foam. In other cases, the foam material of theprotective padding 45 may include different types of foam in differentareas of the shoulder protector 38 _(x).

The inner liner 47 comprises fabric material. The fabric material of theinner liner 47 may comprise any suitable fabric. For instance, in someexamples of implementation, the fabric material of the inner liner 47may comprise any fabric previously mentioned herein. In some cases, thefabric material of the inner liner 47 may include only one type offabric. In other cases, the fabric material of the inner liner 47 mayinclude different types of fabric in different areas of the shoulderprotector 38 _(x). The outer covering 83 may comprise any suitablematerial. For example, in this embodiment, the outer covering 83comprises flexible non-foam polymeric material (e.g., polyurethane). Inthis embodiment, since the outer covering 54 is flexible material, theshoulder cap constituted by the shoulder protector 38 _(x) is a flexibleshoulder cap.

In this embodiment, the shoulder protector 38 _(x) comprises a proximalsection 96 and a distal section 97 connected to one another. Theproximal section 96 comprises proximal portions of the protectivepadding 45, the inner liner 47, and of the outer covering 83, which, inthis example, are interconnected by a stitched connecting band 98 thatextends along a perimeter of the proximal section 96. Similarly, thedistal section 97 comprises distal portions of the protective padding45, the inner liner 47, and of the outer covering 83, which, in thisexample, are interconnected by a stitched connecting band 99 thatextends along a perimeter of the distal section 97.

In this example of implementation, the proximal section 96 and thedistal section are movable relative to one another. This may facilitatemovement of the player 14 during play. More particularly, in thisembodiment, the proximal section 96 and the distal section 97 areinterconnected by an elastic zone 36 which stretches when the they aresubjected to forces moving them away from one another and whichcontracts when these forces are no longer applied to bias them backtowards one another. For instance, in this embodiment, the elastic zone36 may comprise elastic “stretch” fabric.

The left and right shoulder protectors 38 ₁, 38 ₂ may be implemented invarious other ways in other embodiments. For example, in otherembodiments, each of the left and right shoulder protectors 38 ₁, 38 ₂may have various other shapes, comprise various other components, and/orbe made of various other materials. For instance, in some embodiments,each of the shoulder protectors 38 ₁, 38 ₂ may comprise an outer shellof rigid material (e.g., one or more shell pieces of polycarbonate orother rigid material). As another example, in other embodiments, each ofthe shoulder protectors 38 ₁, 38 ₂ may not comprise proximal and distalsections which can move relative to one another.

The left arm protector 21 ₁ is configured to protect at least part ofthe left arm 24 ₁ of the player. Similarly, the right arm protector 21 ₂is configured to protect at least part of the right arm 24 ₂ of theplayer. Each arm protector 21 _(x) comprises an outer arm portion 27 foroverlying an outer region of the arm 24 _(x) it protects and a strap 28for retaining itself on the arm 24 _(x).

In this embodiment, the arm protector 21 _(x) depends from the shoulderprotector 38 _(x) protecting the shoulder 20 _(x) joining the arm 24_(x). Also, in this embodiment, the arm protector 21 _(x) is movablerelative to the shoulder protector 38 _(x). More particularly, in thisexample, the arm protector 21 _(x) is pivotable relative to the shoulderprotector 38 _(x). In this case, the arm protector 21 _(x) comprises astrap 29 which is connected to a strap receiver 22 of the shoulderprotector 38 _(x) so as to permit pivotal movement of the arm protector21 _(x) relative to the shoulder protector 38 _(x). In other cases, thearm protector 21 _(x) may be connected to the shoulder protector 38 _(x)in various other ways to permit pivotal movement.

In this embodiment, the arm protector 21 _(x) comprises protectivepadding 57 disposed between an inner liner 72 and an outer covering 79.The protective padding 57 provides padded protection to the arm 24 _(x).The protective padding 57 may comprise any suitable shock-absorbingmaterial. For example, in this embodiment, the protective padding 57comprises foam material. The foam material of the protective padding 57may comprise any suitable polymeric foam. For instance, in some examplesof implementation, the foam material of the inner protective padding 57may comprise any foam previously mentioned herein. In some cases, thefoam material of the protective padding 57 may include only one type offoam. In other cases, the foam material of the protective padding mayinclude different types of foam in different areas of the arm protector21 _(x).

The inner liner 72 comprises fabric material. The fabric material of theinner liner 72 may comprise any suitable fabric. For instance, in someexamples of implementation, the fabric material of the inner liner 72may comprise any fabric previously mentioned herein. In some cases, thefabric material of the inner liner 72 may include only one type offabric. In other cases, the fabric material of the inner liner 72 mayinclude different types of fabric in different areas of the armprotector 21 _(x). The outer covering 79 may comprise any suitablematerial. For example, in this embodiment, the outer covering 79comprises flexible non-foam polymeric material (e.g., polyurethane).

The left and right arm protectors 21 ₁, 21 ₂ may be implemented invarious other ways in other embodiments. For example, in otherembodiments, each of the left and right arm protectors 21 ₁, 21 ₂ mayhave various other shapes, comprise various other components, and/or bemade of various other materials. For instance, in some embodiments, eachof the arm protectors 21 ₁, 21 ₂ may comprise an outer shell of rigidmaterial (e.g., one or more shell pieces of polycarbonate or other rigidmaterial).

As mentioned previously, the adjustment system 40 allows the player toadjust the fit of the shoulder pads 10, notably by adjustment of theleft and right shoulder arches 34 ₁, 34 ₂. In this embodiment, theadjustment system 40 comprises a left shoulder arch fastener 90 ₁detachably fastening the left shoulder arch 34 ₁ to the front member 30to allow the player to adjust the left shoulder arch 34 ₁ and a rightshoulder arch fastener 90 ₂ detachably fastening the right shoulder arch34 ₂ to the front member 30 to allow the player to adjust the rightshoulder arch 34 ₂.

Each shoulder arch fastener 90 _(x) detachably fastens its associatedshoulder arch 34 _(x) to the front member 30 in that it is designed toenable the shoulder arch 34 _(x) and the front member 30 to be fastenedand unfastened at will without damaging the shoulder pads 10. Theshoulder arch fastener 90 _(x) comprises a first connector 93 on (i.e.,that is part of) the shoulder arch 34 _(x) and a second connector 94 on(i.e., that is part of) the front member 30. When the shoulder arch 34_(x) is fastened to the front member 30 by the shoulder arch fastener 90_(x), the first connector 93 overlaps the front member 30 and isdetachably connected to the second connector 94.

The shoulder arch fastener 90 _(x) may be any suitable type of fastener.In this embodiment, the shoulder arch fastener 90 _(x) is ahook-and-loop fastener. More particularly, in this embodiment, theshoulder arch fastener 90 _(x) is a Velcro™ hook-and-loop fastener. Inthis example, the first connector 93 comprises a hook portion of thehook-and-loop fastener 90 _(x) and the second connector 94 comprises aloop portion of the hook-and-loop fastener 90 _(x). In other examples,this may be reversed with the first connector 93 comprising a loopportion of the hook-and-loop fastener 90 _(x) and the second connector94 comprising a hook portion of the hook-and-loop fastener 90 _(x).

In this embodiment, the second connector 94 of the shoulder archfastener 90 _(x) comprises a first part 66 ₁ on (i.e., that is part of)the central section 55 of the front member 30 and a second part 66 ₂ on(i.e., that is part of) the lateral section 56 _(x) of the front member30. The first and second parts 66 ₁, 66 ₂ of the second connector 94 arethus movable relative to one another to accommodate relative movement ofthe central and lateral sections 55, 56 _(x) of the front member 30.

The shoulder arch fastener 90 _(x) allows the player to adjust aposition in which the first connector 93 of the shoulder arch fastener90 _(x) is detachably connected to the second connector 94 of theshoulder arch fastener 90 _(x). More particularly, in this embodiment,the shoulder arch fastener 90 _(x) allows the player to adjust theposition in which the first connector 93 is detachably connected to thesecond connector 94 in the front-back direction of the shoulder pads 10.Also, in this embodiment, the shoulder arch fastener 90 _(x) allows theplayer to adjust the position in which the first connector 93 isdetachably connected to the second connector 94 in the left-rightdirection of the shoulder pads 10. In fact, in this embodiment, theshoulder arch fastener 90 _(x) allows the player to omnidirectionallyadjust (i.e., adjust in any direction) the position in which the firstconnector 93 is detachably connected to the second connector 94. In thiscase, this positional adjustment allows the player to adjust anorientation of the shoulder arch 34 _(x) relative to the front member30.

For instance, FIGS. 9A, 9B, 10A and 10B show examples of how theposition in which the first connector 93 of the shoulder arch fastener90 _(x) is detachably connected to the second connector 94 of theshoulder arch fastener 90 _(x) is adjustable along the front-backdirection and the left-right direction of the shoulder pads 10. In theexample shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the position in which the firstconnector 93 is detachably connected to the second connector 94 iscentered at point P1. In the example shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, theposition in which first connector 93 is detachably connected to thesecond connector 94 is centered at a point P2. The point P1 and thepoint P2 are spaced apart in the front-back direction and in theleft-right direction of the shoulder pads 10. Also, the orientation ofthe shoulder arch 34 _(x) relative to the front member 30 is differentin the example shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B than in the example shown inFIGS. 10A and 10B.

The adjustment of the left and right shoulder arches 34 ₁, 34 ₂ enabledby the left and right shoulder arch fasteners 90 ₁, 90 ₂ allows variousaspects of the fit of the shoulder pads 10 to be adjusted.

For example, in this embodiment, the shoulder arch fastener 90 _(x)allows the player to adjust a length of a segment 95 of the shoulderarch 34 _(x) defining a dimension NFB of the neck opening 39 in thefront-back direction of the shoulder pads 10. For instance, the lengthof the segment 95 of the shoulder arch 34 _(x) is longer and results inthe dimension NFB of the neck opening 39 in the front-back direction ofthe shoulder pads 10 being greater in the example shown in FIGS. 9A and9B than in the example shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B.

Also, in this embodiment, the left and right shoulder arch fasteners 90₁, 90 ₂ allow the player to adjust a distance W between the leftshoulder arch 34 ₁ and the right shoulder arch 34 ₂ in the left-rightdirection of the shoulder pads 10 which defines a spacing S of the leftshoulder protector 38 ₁ and the right shoulder protector 38 ₂ in theleft-right direction of the shoulder pads 10. For instance, the distanceW between the left and right shoulder arches 34 ₁, 34 ₂ in theleft-right direction of the shoulder pads 10 is greater and results inthe spacing S of the left and right shoulder protectors 38 ₁, 38 ₂ inthe left-right direction of the shoulder pads 10 being greater in theexample shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B than in the example shown in FIGS. 10Aand 10B. In this case, the distance W between the left and rightshoulder arches 34 ₁, 34 ₂ corresponds to the spacing S of the left andright shoulder protectors 38 ₁, 38 ₂ since the left and right shoulderprotectors 38 ₁, 38 ₂ are mounted to the left and right shoulder arches34 ₁, 34 ₂ such that their respective neck-facing edges generallycoincide. In other cases, the distance W between the left and rightshoulder arches 34 ₁, 34 ₂ may be different than the spacing S of theleft and right shoulder protectors 38 ₁, 38 ₂.

As shown in FIG. 11, in this embodiment, the left and right shoulderarch fasteners 90 ₁, 90 ₂ allow the player to adjust the left and rightshoulder arches 34 ₁, 34 ₂ while the player is wearing the shoulder pads10. Indeed, in this embodiment, since the left and right shoulder archfasteners 90 ₁, 90 ₂ are located on the front side FS of the thorax 12of the player 14, they can be easily accessed and manipulated by theplayer while he/she is wearing the shoulder pads 10. This can bebeneficial since it can help the player to easily adjust the fit of theshoulder pads 10 without having to take them off and but them back on.

In this embodiment, the first connector 93 of the shoulder arch fastener90 _(x) has a dimension C1W in the left-right direction of the shoulderpads 10 and a dimension C1H in the top-bottom direction of the shoulderpads 10 that are sized to permit the adjustment of the position in whichthe first connector 93 is detachably connected to the second connector94 of the shoulder arch fastener 90 _(x). For example, in someembodiments, the dimension C1W of the first connector 93 in theleft-right direction of the shoulder pads 10 may be at least 1 inch, insome cases at least 2 inches, in some cases at least 3 inches, and insome cases even more (e.g., up to 6 inches) and/or the dimension C1H ofthe first connector 93 in the top-bottom direction of the shoulder pads10 may be at least 1 inch, in some cases at least 2 inches, in somecases at least 3 inches, and in some cases even more (e.g., up to 6inches). The dimensions C1W and C1H of the first connector 93 in theleft-right and top-bottom directions of the shoulder pads 10 may haveany other suitable values in other embodiments.

Similarly, the second connector 94 of the shoulder arch fastener 90 _(x)has a dimension C2W in the left-right direction of the shoulder pads 10and a dimension C2H in the top-bottom direction of the shoulder pads 10that are suitably sized to permit the adjustment of the position inwhich the first connector 93 is detachably connected to the firstconnector 93 of the shoulder arch fastener 90 _(x). For example, in someembodiments, the dimension C2W of the second connector 94 in theleft-right direction of the shoulder pads 10 may be at least 1 inch, insome cases at least 2 inches, in some cases at least 3 inches, and insome cases even more (e.g., up to 6 inches) and/or the dimension C2H ofthe second connector 94 in the top-bottom direction of the shoulder pads10 may be at least 1 inch, in some cases at least 2 inches, in somecases at least 3 inches, and in some cases even more (e.g., up to 6inches). The dimensions C2W and C2H of the second connector 94 in theleft-right and top-bottom directions of the shoulder pads 10 may haveany other suitable values in other embodiments.

The left and right shoulder arch fasteners 90 ₁, 90 ₂ may be implementedin various other ways in other embodiments.

For example, in other embodiments, the first and second connectors 93,94 of the shoulder arch fastener 90 _(x) may have various other shapesand/or may be located elsewhere on the shoulder arch 34 _(x) and/or onthe front member 30.

As another example, in other embodiments, the shoulder arch fastener 90_(x) may be any other type of fastener and each of its first and secondconnectors 93, 94 may comprise any other type of connecting elements(e.g., a button, a clip, a buckle, a snap, etc.). For instance, in someembodiments, the second connector 94 may comprise a plurality ofdistinct connecting elements which are spaced apart from one anothersuch that the first connector 93 can be connected to a selected one ofthese distinct connecting elements to adjust the shoulder arch 34 _(x).For example, in some cases, the distinct connecting elements of thesecond connector 94 may be female snap button elements and the firstconnector 93 may comprise a male snap button element that can beconnected to a selected one of the female snap button elements to adjustthe shoulder arch 34 _(x) (e.g., the shoulder arch fastener 90 _(x) maybe a button-type fastener). In other cases, the distinct connectingelements of the second connector 94 may be grommets and the firstconnector 93 may comprise a plug that can be connected to a selected oneof the grommets by insertion therethrough to adjust the shoulder arch 34_(x) (i.e., the shoulder arch fastener 90 _(x) may be a plug-and-grommetfastener). In other embodiments, the second connector 94 may definedifferent positions at which the first connector 93 can be connected,but these different positions may not necessarily be defined by distinctconnecting elements. For example, in some cases, the second connector 94may comprise a connection area of the front member 30 such that thefirst connector 93 is connectable to any of various positions within theconnection area (e.g., the first connector 93 may comprise a clip thatcan be connected to any position in the connection area that isclippable by the clip). Various other types of connecting elements maybe used in other cases.

As yet another example, instead of being part of the front member 30,the second connector 94 of the shoulder arch fastener 90 _(x) may bepart of the back member 30 in other embodiments. For instance, in someembodiments, the shoulder arch 34 _(x) may be sewn, integrally formedwith, or otherwise nonseparably connected to the front member 30 andextend towards the back member 30 such that the first connector 93 onthe shoulder arch 34 _(x) can be detachably connected to the secondconnector 94 on the back member 32.

While in this embodiment the shoulder pads 10 are lacrosse shoulderpads, in other embodiments, shoulder pads constructed using principlesdescribed herein in respect of the shoulder pads 10 may be another typeof shoulder pads for upper body protection of a player playing anothertype of contact sport (sometimes referred to as “full-contact sport” or“collision sport”) in which there are significant impact forces on theplayer due to player-to-player and/or player-to-object contact. Forexample, in other embodiments, shoulder pads constructed usingprinciples described herein in respect of the shoulder pads 10 may behockey shoulder pads for upper body protection of a hockey player. Asanother example, in other embodiments, shoulder pads constructed usingprinciples described herein in respect of the shoulder pads 10 may befootball shoulder pads for upper body protection of a football player.

Although various embodiments and examples have been presented, this wasfor the purpose of describing, but not limiting, the invention. Variousmodifications and enhancements will become apparent to those of ordinaryskill in the art and are within the scope of the invention, which isdefined by the appended claims.

1.-28. (canceled)
 29. Shoulder pads for a player playing a contactsport, the shoulder pads comprising: a) a front member configured tocover at least part of a front side of a thorax of the player andcomprising protective padding; b) a back member configured to cover atleast part of a back side of the thorax of the player; c) a leftshoulder member configured to arch over a left shoulder of the player,extending from the front member to the back member, and detachablyfastened to the front member; and d) a right shoulder member configuredto arch over a right shoulder of the player, extending from the frontmember to the back member, and detachably fastened to the front member.30. The shoulder pads of claim 29, wherein each of the left shouldermember and the right shoulder member is detachably fastened to the frontmember so as to be detachable from the front member while the player iswearing the shoulder pads.
 31. The shoulder pads of claim 29, whereineach of the left shoulder member and the right shoulder member isdetachably fastened to the front member to allow the player to adjustthe left shoulder member and the right shoulder member while the playeris wearing the shoulder pads.
 32. The shoulder pads of claim 29, whereineach of the left shoulder member and the right shoulder member isdetachably fastened to the front member to allow the player to adjustthe left shoulder member and the right shoulder member in a front-backdirection of the shoulder pads.
 33. The shoulder pads of claim 29,wherein each of the left shoulder member and the right shoulder memberis detachably fastened to the front member to allow the player to adjusta distance between the left shoulder member and the right shouldermember in a left-right direction of the shoulder pads.
 34. The shoulderpads of claim 29, wherein each of the left shoulder member and the rightshoulder member is detachably fastened to the front member to allow theplayer to adjust a position in which the left shoulder member isdetachably fastened to the front member in a front-back direction of theshoulder pads and adjust a position in which the right shoulder memberis detachably fastened to the front member in the front-back directionof the shoulder pads.
 35. The shoulder pads of claim 34, wherein each ofthe left shoulder member and the right shoulder member is detachablyfastened to the front member to allow the player to adjust the positionin which the left shoulder member is detachably fastened to the frontmember in a left-right direction of the shoulder pads and adjust theposition in which the right shoulder member is detachably fastened tothe front member in the left-right direction of the shoulder pads. 36.The shoulder pads of claim 29, wherein each of the left shoulder memberand the right shoulder member is detachably fastened to the front memberto allow the player to omnidirectionally adjust a position in which theleft shoulder member is detachably fastened to the front member andomnidirectionally adjust a position in which the right shoulder memberis detachably fastened to the front member.
 37. The shoulder pads ofclaim 29, wherein each of the left shoulder member and the rightshoulder member is detachably fastened to the front member to allow theplayer to adjust an orientation of the left shoulder member relative tothe front member and adjust an orientation of the right shoulder memberrelative to the front member.
 38. The shoulder pads of claim 29,comprising: a connector on the left shoulder member and a left connectoron the front member detachably connected to one another to detachablyfasten the left shoulder member to the front member; and a connector onthe right shoulder member and a right connector on the front memberdetachably connected to one another to detachably fasten the rightshoulder member to the front member.
 39. The shoulder pads of claim 38,wherein: the left connector of the front member has a dimension in aleft-right direction of the shoulder pads of at least 1 inch and adimension in a top-bottom direction of the shoulder pads of at least 1inch; and the right connector of the front member has a dimension in theleft-right direction of the shoulder pads of at least 1 inch and adimension in the top-bottom direction of the shoulder pads of at least 1inch.
 40. The shoulder pads of claim 38, wherein: the left connector ofthe front member has a dimension in a left-right direction of theshoulder pads of at least 2 inches and a dimension in a top-bottomdirection of the shoulder pads of at least 2 inches; and the rightconnector of the front member has a dimension in the left-rightdirection of the shoulder pads of at least 2 inches and a dimension inthe top-bottom direction of the shoulder pads of at least 2 inches. 41.The shoulder pads of claim 38, wherein: the connector of the leftshoulder member comprises protective padding; and the connector of theright shoulder member comprises protective padding.
 42. The shoulderpads of claim 38, wherein: the connector of the left shoulder member isat least partly located in a clavicular portion of the left shouldermember; and the connector of the right shoulder member is at leastpartly located in a clavicular portion of the right shoulder member. 43.The shoulder pads of claim 38, wherein: the left connector of the frontmember is at least partly located in a left clavicular region of thefront member; and the right connector of the front member is at leastpartly located in a right clavicular region of the front member.
 44. Theshoulder pads of claim 38, wherein: the connector of the left shouldermember and the left connector of the front member constitute a lefthook-and-loop fastener; and the connector of the right shoulder memberand the right connector of the front member constitute a righthook-and-loop fastener.
 45. The shoulder pads of claim 44, wherein: theconnector of the left shoulder member comprises a hook portion of theleft hook-and-loop fastener; the left connector of the front membercomprises a loop portion of the left hook-and-loop fastener; theconnector of the right shoulder member comprises a hook portion of theright hook-and-loop fastener; and the right connector of the frontmember comprises a loop portion of the right hook-and-loop fastener. 46.The shoulder pads of claim 29, comprising a left hook-and-loop fastenerdetachably fastening the left shoulder member to the front member and aright hook-and-loop fastener detachably fastening the right shouldermember to the front member.
 47. The shoulder pads of claim 46, wherein:the left hook-and-loop fastener comprises a hook portion on the leftshoulder member and a loop portion on the front member; and the righthook-and-loop fastener comprises a hook portion on the right shouldermember and a loop portion on the front member.
 48. The shoulder pads ofclaim 29, wherein: the left shoulder member is detachable from the backmember; and the right shoulder member is detachable from the backmember.
 49. The shoulder pads of claim 29, wherein: the left shouldermember is nonseparably connected to the back member and extends towardsthe front member; and the right shoulder member is nonseparablyconnected to the back member and extends towards the front member. 50.The shoulder pads of claim 49, wherein: the left shoulder member isnonseparably connected to the back member by being sewed to the backmember; and the right shoulder member is nonseparably connected to theback member by being sewed to the back member.
 51. The shoulder pads ofclaim 29, comprising a left shoulder protector configured to protect atleast part of the left shoulder of the player and a right shoulderprotector configured to protect at least part of the right shoulder ofthe player.
 52. The shoulder pads of claim 51, wherein: the leftshoulder protector is mounted over the left shoulder member; and theright shoulder protector is mounted over the right shoulder member. 53.The shoulder pads of claim 51, wherein: the left shoulder protector ismovable relative to the left shoulder member; and the right shoulderprotector is movable relative to the right shoulder member.
 54. Theshoulder pads of claim 29, comprising a left arm protector configured toprotect at least part of a left arm of the player and a right armprotector configured to protect at least part of a right arm of theplayer.
 55. The shoulder pads of claim 29, wherein the back membercomprises protective padding.
 56. The shoulder pads of claim 29, whereinthe left shoulder member and the right shoulder member are adjustablewhile the player is wearing the shoulder pads by: moving the leftshoulder member away from the front member to detach the left shouldermember from the front member and subsequently moving the left shouldermember towards the front member to reconnect the left shoulder member tothe front member; and moving the right shoulder member away from thefront member to detach the right shoulder member from the front memberand subsequently moving the right shoulder member towards the frontmember to reconnect the right shoulder member to the front member. 57.The shoulder pads of claim 29, wherein a fastener detachably fasteningthe left shoulder member to the front member and a fastener detachablyfastening the right shoulder member to the front member are exposed at afront of the shoulder pads.
 58. The shoulder pads of claim 29, whereinthe left shoulder member and the right shoulder member are unfastenablefrom the front member to disconnect the left shoulder member and theright shoulder member from the front member such that the front memberis separated from the left shoulder member and the right shouldermember.
 59. The shoulder pads of claim 29, wherein the left shouldermember and the right shoulder member are unfastenable from the frontmember to disconnect the left shoulder member and the right shouldermember from the front member such that the front member is separatedfrom the back member.
 60. The shoulder pads of claim 29, wherein: theleft shoulder member comprises a scapular portion and a clavicularportion that is larger than the scapular portion of the left shouldermember; and the right shoulder member comprises a scapular portion and aclavicular portion that is larger than the scapular portion of the rightshoulder member.
 61. The shoulder pads of claim 29, wherein the frontmember comprises a central section and a pair of lateral sections, thecentral section of the front member is located between the lateralsections of the front member, and each of the lateral sections of thefront member is movable relative to the central section of the frontmember.
 62. The shoulder pads of claim 61, wherein the front membercomprises elastic zones disposed between the central section of thefront member and the lateral sections of the front member and configuredto stretch when the lateral sections of the front member move away fromthe central section of the front member and contract when the lateralsections of the front member move towards the central section of thefront member.
 63. The shoulder pads of claim 29, wherein the contactsport is lacrosse and the shoulder pads are lacrosse shoulder pads. 64.Shoulder pads for a player playing a contact sport, the shoulder padscomprising: a) a front member configured to cover at least part of afront side of a thorax of the player and comprising protective padding;b) a back member configured to cover at least part of a back side of thethorax of the player; c) a left shoulder member configured to arch overa left shoulder of the player and extending from the front member to theback member; d) a right shoulder member configured to arch over a rightshoulder of the player and extending from the front member to the backmember; e) a left hook-and-loop fastener detachably fastening the leftshoulder member to the front member; and f) a right hook-and-loopfastener detachably fastening the right shoulder member to the frontmember.
 65. Shoulder pads for a player playing a contact sport, theshoulder pads comprising: a) a front member configured to cover at leastpart of a front side of a thorax of the player and comprising protectivepadding, a left connector at least partly located in a left clavicularregion of the front member, and a right connector at least partlylocated in a right clavicular region of the front member; b) a backmember configured to cover at least part of a back side of the thorax ofthe player; c) a left shoulder member configured to arch over a leftshoulder of the player, extending from the front member to the backmember, and comprising a connector at least partly located in aclavicular portion of the left shoulder member and detachably connectedto the left connector of the front member to detachably fasten the leftshoulder member to the front member; and d) a right shoulder memberconfigured to arch over a right shoulder of the player, extending fromthe front member to the back member, and comprising a connector at leastpartly located in a clavicular portion of the right shoulder member anddetachably connected to the right connector of the front member todetachably fasten the right shoulder member to the front member. 66.Shoulder pads for a player playing a contact sport, the shoulder padscomprising: a) a front member configured to cover at least part of afront side of a thorax of the player and comprising protective padding;b) a back member configured to cover at least part of a back side of thethorax of the player; c) a left shoulder member configured to arch overa left shoulder of the player, extending from the front member to theback member, and detachably fastened to the front member and the backmember; and d) a right shoulder member configured to arch over a rightshoulder of the player, extending from the front member to the backmember, and detachably fastened to the front member and the back member.